Le car est mort.

[ironphoenix]

Well, the old '94 Volvo has finally passed away peacefully in its sleep, after more than 15 years and almost 350 000 km. It's fixable, but the cost of fixing it is considerably greater than the car's residual value.

We will likely want to replace it with a less thirsty car; my inclination is to get something like a 4-year-old Mazda 3 with automatic transmission (at soul_diaspora's request!).

I have a few requests for y'all:

• Recommended ways of getting rid of the old car, preferably receiving some cash for it.
• Recommended sources for a vehicle, and/or for specific kinds of vehicle.
• Recommended mechanics etc. to check out prospective vehicles.

What does the great LJ brain trust have for us?

Comments

recommended mechanic:

[ilanikhan.livejournal.com]

Swan's Garage, on Merivale.

[o-bunny.livejournal.com]

Way of getting rid of the old car? Ours was stolen, we got approximately its value for it. Of course, it ran...

Mechanic? Kevin Tierney, Kevin's Autocare, 44 Cleopatra, (613) 226-1341. Been dealing with him for *years*, he's the kind of mechanic who'll tell you not to replace things. Highly recommended.

[jagash.livejournal.com]

In terms of kinds of cars, I do appreciate the Honda Fit. Incredibly flexible seats, can handle a large amount of cargo or decent number of people while still being cheap with very good fuel efficiency.

Seconded

[o-bunny.livejournal.com]

If I'd had the wherewithal to buy a newer vehicle than I did after the theft, the Fit would have been at the top of a very short list.

[waterspyder.livejournal.com]

Most scrap dealers will give you $500 for the value of the metal in the car.

[ancalagon-tb.livejournal.com]

I would expect that volvo to have a fair bit of metal in it - it's built like a tank, after all!

[ranisilath.livejournal.com]

Tangential to the "recommended sources for a vehicle", insist on test-driving the car at night, preferably someplace with minimal street lighting.

My parents got the '05 Corolla without doing so, and it's just barely on the good side of the "safe to drive at night" line when using the low-beams; they would not have purchased it had they driven it at night beforehand.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Interesting... does the Lemon-Aid mention the problem?

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Long live the car!

Um... maybe not?

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Well, it did live for quite a while!

[maltesewarrior.livejournal.com]

Before taking it to a scrap yard, you may see if there are any local or state non-profits that would accept it. In Wisconsin, we have a non-profit called "Rawhide Ranch" that is a program for at-risk teens. They take your old junker and teach street kids how to fix cars by fixing up the car you donate. Then the ranch sells it. They keep the cash, which helps with overhead at the program, and they send you a receipt of sale which you can deduct from you taxes at the end of the year. So, I don't know if you have anything like that in Canada, or if your tax system works similarly, but it might be worth looking for.

As far as small, reliable, gas-friendly used vehicles, my recommendations would be:

Honda Civic
Honda Accord (4 cyl)
Nissan Sentra
Toyota Celica
Toyota Corolla
Chevy Prizm (same car as the Corolla, rebadged, lower residual value)
Infiniti G20


Good luck! :)

[gabriel-le.livejournal.com]

ours may have died this weekend too.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Oy... sorry to hear it!

[mustangsallie33.livejournal.com]

Shall we have a moment of silence to lament the passing of the old 'warhorse'..........Ok, moment's over. As for some new wheels; how about a Mustang (heh, heh!). Oh yeah, you didn't want a thirsty car so never mind the suggestion. Anyway, good luck on your search.